I Refused To Be Reincarnated-Chapter 671: Qi or Mana?

Unaware of the growing suspicion among the righteous sects or their decision to consult the Dao ancestor, Adam drove his province-sized fortress through the clouds. The sky turned a navy blue as he reached the stratosphere and turned into an unnoticeable dot to anyone on ground level.

Everything worked as intended. The barriers warded off contamination and ensured the ecosystem’s temperature.

Even better, the magic circle on the ground converted nature’s abundant qi into mana at full capacity, filling the hovering gem he had painstakingly combined. It was just a bottomless energy storage working like Selene’s blade, though. But it was of the ninth tier and filled its role.

Satisfied with his work, he took a moment to ponder his next steps.

The quality of his qi was almost solid, but his realm hadn’t improved in the last year. He saw two options: cultivate while gathering magic knowledge or head to the archipelago first. ’Mhh. I’m fine with either.’

As if reading his mind, Misha tapped on his shoulder. He raised his gaze, her bright smile and soft voice warming his chest.

"You deserve a break, Adam." She shook her head and raised her finger before his nose. "No, you must take one, understand? Clear your mind, visit new places, and learn about their culture. I’m sure we’ll find information about the archipelago, too."

"I guess you’re right." He pulled her into a hug on his lap. "Nothing good will come from a weary mind. Thank you for caring, and let’s enjoy the journey for a month or two."

She chuckled, her curved eyes forcing his heart into a beating frenzy—perhaps because they couldn’t spend much time together last year. Close yet separated by mountains of worries, he longed for their animated dinners, hours of banters, or just holding hands on the garden’s bench, surrounded by sweet scents and bathed under the bright sun.

"Say." She poked his cheek. "Now that things are somewhat settled, do you mind reinstating our four-hour rule—at least during the break?"

"Are you reading my mind?" He tickled her sides playfully. "Let’s explore together—slowly."

Chuckling, she leaned forward, her warm breath a centimeter from his face. "It’s a promise then." She pecked his lips and backflipped, landing before the throne with the elegance of a soaring crane. "Did you already choose our first destination?"

"We’re at the edge of the western region, not too far from an order." He tucked his fingers around his chin, his lips curling. "We can let Xie Lian guard the blessed land while we’re away."

She snorted. "Tsk. I don’t want to hear her name. Can you believe it? She continued to cultivate during the escape all because you restored the formation!"

"Who cares?" He shrugged.

"I do! She’s right when she says her presence wouldn’t change the outcome. But still..." She bit her lips. "She could have shown support by staying with us for a few hours."

Adam walked to her, passed his arm around her shoulder, and they stepped into the garden. "Or she trusted us and just wanted to give us some alone time without stating it. Come on, Misha. I’m the one who’s supposed to see the glass half empty."

"Ah!" She held his arm, her face brightening. "That sounds right. I feel bad for doubting her now."

"Just bring her a souvenir if you do. Anyway, ready to leave?" She nodded, and he zipped space open with a sharp movement.

He walked through the opening, the grass fading into gray rocks beneath his feet as space snapped shut behind. Fresh winds blew his sky-blue hair, the chill a comfortable prickle on his skin. But his gaze was on the city carved from the peak.

He moved toward the purple mana barrier encasing the walls, noting the emblem carved on the stone—a green snake coiling around a staff, mouth wide open and fangs dripping purple venom.

’Their order’s symbol?’ A brow raised, he walked toward guards dressed in thick leather and heavy pelts.

They noticed him, too. Unlike his curiosity, their eyes narrowed in suspicion, then alarm. A whisper, two men left the group of four, and the other two drew obsidian daggers shaped like fangs.

"Cultivators are not welcome in the order of the venomous path! Turn back, or death will be a mercy you won’t know." The oldest guard, a man with graying hair, called out.

Green and purple liquids swirled behind him and his colleagues, emanating a stench of rotting guts that made Adam and Misha cover their scrunched noses.

They hurled them, drawing a straight line ten meters before them. The rocks darkened and sizzled, toxic fumes rising from the smoke.

Adam halted before the line, knowing the guards would turn hostile the moment he crossed it if he didn’t clear their misconception. "I’m a mage here to visit your order to broaden my magical knowledge..."

However, the guard pointed at his forehead, harrumphing. "Do you see fool written there? No? Great!" He turned to his colleague, his voice dripping with ridicule. "You hear that? A young mage, still wet behind the ears, wearing the finest cultivator robes, and not shivering in the cold. We should ask him for his secret, right... guys?"

Before his voice faded, the two guards who had left a minute ago returned with three dozen mages, all wearing armor and clutching daggers.

The oldest guard smirked. "Thank your noble clothes. You owe them your life. Now, scram. We don’t want trouble with young masters or other noble bastards."

Adam rolled his eyes. "I tried."

Misha nodded. "You did. Guess you have no other choice."

"I could have just skipped this step altogether. But whatever." Wisps of mana wafted from his sky-blue eyes as he locked eyes with the oldest guard.

"Perhaps I should indeed carve fool on your forehead to warn future visitors."

He snapped his fingers, an array of poisonous weapons of all shapes humming and twirling to life. Wind wiping at their contact, turning a deep shade of green reeking of decay and death, they arranged themselves in a colossal circle behind him.

The guards recoiled. Some puked, others dropped to their knees and clutched their heads. How much mana and what exquisite control did that youth have? Who had they offended? But Adam ignored their reactions.

He crossed the line, the weapons spinning into a nightmarish halo of dread. "Now tell me, am I wielding qi or mana?"

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